The Mir core module spent over fifteen years in orbit - three times its originally designed age. Starting in 1986, the intention was to build it up to a near-130 tonne complex in a relatively short space of time. In the event, it was a whole ten years before the final module arrived on orbit.

The main semi-Permanent structure of Mir consisted of the core module, launched in 1986, that was then built up by the launching and addition of further modules over time. While Mir itself was based on the Korolyov Bureau's DOS stations, the add-on modules originated in Chelomei's Almaz programme and the TKS pacecraft.

Crews travelled to the station using the Soyuz spacecraft and were kept supplied by spacecraft of the Progress type. Later in its life, Mir was visited by US crews, arriving by Space Shuttle. The United States took the opportunity to experience long stays in space prior to the arrival in orbit of the International Space Station.

Modules

Kvant

X-ray and UV astronomy but also carried additional gyroscopes, Kvant was originally intended to be added to Salyut 7

Kvant 2

fitted with a large-diameter airlock and contained an experimental manoeuvring unit for use by a space suited astronaut

Kristall

Micro-gravity research laboratory, also equipped with an androgynous docking unit intended for use with 'Buran', the Soviet space shuttle

Spektr

Earth observation platform for climatic studies, it was disabled in 1997 in a collision with Progress M-34

Priroda

Earth observation platform for remote sensing (Earth Resources)

Docking Module

delivered by US Space Shuttle specifically for use in Shuttle docking, attached to the androgynous docking port of the Kristall module

The End

Mir is now gone - its descent from orbit 2001 March 23 was the subject of much attention from the public and the press, marking as it it did the end of an era in spaceflight history.

The table below lists some of Mir's highlights.

Date

Time (UTC)

Event

1986 Feb 19

21:28

Mir space station launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Proton rocket into 172 x 301 kilometre orbit, in the same orbital plane as Salyut 7

1986 Mar 7

Mir now in 333 x 342 kilometre orbit

1987 Apr 9

00:35

Kvant docks with Mir rear port but the docking latches fail to hold because an obstruction prevents the two craft from being pulled together - orbit is 344 x 363 kilometres

1987 Apr 12

20:18

While Romanenko and Laveikin watch, Kvant and Mir complete their docking

Russia announces that Mir will be abandoned due to lack of both government and private funding

2000 Dec 27

Approximate date - Mir's managers announce an emergency crew that will be launched, if necessary, to assist with the de-orbiting - it consists of cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Nikolai Budarin

2001 Jan 24

04:28

Progress M1-5 cargo supply ship launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Soyuz-U rocket for rendezvous with Mir - its mission is to bring about a controlled re-entry and destruction of the space station

Mir orbit is 151 x 215 kilometres - Progress M1-5 fires its manoeuvring thrusters and its main thrust chamber for a further 23 minutes and ensure re-entry

2001 Mar 23

05:43

Re-entry heating starts the burn-up of Mir

2001 Mar 23

05:48

Mir is a little over 80 kilometres above the Earth and is sheathed in glowing plasma generated by frictional heating - passage of the individual modules, which have separated from each other, is observed from the ground in Fiji

2001 Mar 23

05:50

Burning fragmentsof Mir are seen from Fiji

2001 Mar 23

05:59

Any major surviving fragments of the Mir Complex hit the Pacific Ocean surface near 40 degrees South, 160 degrees West